Merino Volunteer Fire Department planning 5K run May 11

Looking at doing 'Prairie Fire Series' with races in Peetz, Fleming and Crook

STERLING — Runners won't have to travel far this spring to participate in a race. The Merino Volunteer Fire Department is planing a 5K run Saturday, May 11.

Merino Fire Chief Dan Wiebers met with the Logan County Commissioners during their work session on Tuesday to discuss the run. He explained that this is just one of several runs that area fire departments are hoping to put on as part of a “Prairie Fire Series.” The Peetz, Fleming and Crook Fire Departments would like to host their own runs as well.

Wiebers pointed out there are a large number of runners in the area, including one of the volunteers at Merino Fire Department, who travel to Fort Morgan, Brush, Greeley and Fort Collins to participate in runs, because there aren't many in this area.

The fire departments thought a series of runs would be a good idea, because “it's a big deal” for runners when they can run in multiple races.

The 3.1-mile race will start and end at the Merino Fire Hall. From there the runners will head north on Colorado Avenue to Park Avenue, then to County Road 23.5, where they'll go north and then west to County Road 23, then back down south to County Road 8.5, then to Lee Street and down to Laramie Street.

Wiebers said the run will last from 8 to 11 a.m. and at 11 a.m. everyone will have to be off the course. He pointed out that three hours should be more than enough time to complete the run, as it should only take a maximum of an hour to go around the loop.

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While the majority of people will do the 5K, he said there are some that will do a 10K and go around the loop twice.

They hope to have 50 to 100 people at the event. The run is the day before Merino High School's graduation; they're hoping having it on the same weekend will help draw a few people out.

The run will serve as a fundraiser for the fire department. They plan to have a $25 registration fee, which will get participants a T-shirt and some other items.

Wiebers explained that they don't want to stop traffic during the run, just control it. Fire trucks will also be placed at intersections to help control traffic, but he also asked the commissioners for permission to have one patrol car from the Logan County Sheriff's Office available, just in case any issues arise. The commissioners didn't have a problem with that.

The commissioners also heard a presentation by Lani Michel, Logan County coordinator of Baby Bear Hugs, who spoke about what the non-profit organization does.

Baby Bear Hugs provides a support system for the families in Logan, Lincoln, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties. The program connects trained visitors to families as early in the pregnancy as possible, and conducts weekly, bi-monthly and then monthly visits, providing support, education and connection to community resources.

All expectant mothers and/or parents with children 0 to 3 years old are eligible.

They provide a number of programs, including Ages and Stages, Colorado Bright Beginnings Visits, Healthy Living, Home Visitations, Nurturing Parenting and Nurse Visitation.

In other business, Sterling Fire Chief Kurt Vogel was at the meeting to give an update on information regarding a LIFEPAK 12 (heart monitor) unit that needs repairs, which was discussed at the last meeting. He had no new information to share; he should have more information in time for next week's meeting.

Additionally, County Attorney Alan Samber gave the commissioners an updated copy of the contract for the PRCA rodeo at the Fair. The commissioners asked him to define what the term ambulance service means in the contract: whether ambulances should be stationed at the scene or if they can be at the fire station.

The commissioners' next regular business meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 at the Logan County Courthouse.

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